Dream becomes reality in new book

Winston Churchill once said, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”

This rings particularly true for the latest jewel in Crowley’s crown — a new book by Ann Mire entitled “Images of America: Crowley.”

Through more than 200 vintage photographs, readers can actually “look” backward at the Rice Capital of the World.

The city of Crowley began with W.W. Duson’s vision of a new city and purchase of the land and railroad. “Crowley,” Arcadia Publishing’s newest addition to its “Images of America” series, shows how Duson’s dream was built and continues to thrive.

Mire celebrates the fact that Crowley is not just a historic city, but a historically minded city, as well.

“Today, visitors to Crowley witness a wonderful blend of the past and present. Many of the residences remain in the city’s historic district. Crowley is a mixture of new and old business,” says Mire.

Mire, who is 63, was born and raised in Thibodaux, where she graduated from E.D. White Catholic High School. After that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Nicholls State University before earning a Master of Library Sciences Degree from Louisiana State University in 1974.

In 1976 she landed in the city of Crowley as the assistant librarian at the Acadia Parish Public Library, and she has been here ever since, contributing to the community in almost every way possible.

Within the last decade, Mire has developed a deep interest in Crowley’s history. Besides spearheading the project of the conversion of Mary Alice Fontenot’s oral history casettes onto CDs, she continues to be responsible for scanning the old photographs in the Pail Freeland Archives for digital preservation. The newspapers of Acadia Parish have been microfilmed and are currently being digitized for use from the library’s website. With the assistance of the Pointe de l’Eglise: Acadia Genealogy and Historical Society, the Freeland Archives are being maintained. 

Approached by Crowley Chamber of Commerce President Amy Thibodeaux, Mire agreed to author a photographic history of Crowley. Mire considers “Crowley” to be a gift to the community that has been her home.

“This book is lovingly dedicated to my family and friends and to the people of Crowley, who have welcomed me into their town, homes, and hearts,” says Mire.

She added that she hopes that the book will rekindle wonderful memories for longtime residents of Crowley, while fostering a desire within the younger generation to learn more about the city’s history and pioneers.

The book will be released on Monday, Sept. 15, and will be available at several area businesses, as well as through the Pointe de l’Eglise: Acadia Genealogy and Historical Society. All royalties from the sale of the book will go to the historical society.

Mire will be available to discuss and sign the book at two book signings on Friday, Sept. 19:

• Crowley City Hall, 425 N. Parkerson Ave., 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and

• The Grand Opera House of the South, 505 N. Parkerson Ave.

The signing at the opera house is being held in conjunction with the opening of the venue’s 2014-15 season, and tickets to that evening’s Dr. John show are required for entry.

Acardia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Its mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.

For more information visit http://arcadiapublishing.com.